1962 Chevy Bel Air

When it comes to fullsize Chevrolets, '55-'57s seem to get the most attention from enthusiasts and builders alike. A welcome shift in the attention comes by way of Randy Wilcox's unbelievable '62 Bel Air bubbletop. This car is detailed to the max, and even though Randy says he built it as a driver, it's still a full-on show car that has to be seen in person to fully appreciate its subtle tricks.

Not so subtle, however, is its stompin', 509-inch big-block with oval-port, Dart aluminum heads and an unusual-for- today Corvette Tri-Power Holley carb setup. The unique carb trio was available on '67-'69 Corvette 427s, and Randy decided to take the road less traveled by using this sometimes temperamental setup. Even 30 years later this carb setup is as cool as ever, despite that it doesn't really make any more power than a good, single four-barrel. Either way, it's still obvious that Randy has gotten the system dialed in pretty well as the beefy big-block belted out 603 hp at 6,250 rpm on a dyno. An even 600 lb-ft of torque is on tap at 4,750 rpm.

Hidden underneath the classic exterior are several welcome modern concessions such as KYB shocks, Energy Suspension urethane bushings, and a 11/8-inch front antisway bar. For stopping power, Wilwood disc brakes with 11-inch rotors reside at each corner. Putting the 600hp big-block's power to the ground is a TH700-R4, four-speed automatic hooked to a Dana 60 rearend with Richmond gears and Moser axles. A wishbone-style, rear-suspension setup also helps keep the big Dana rearend in place when Randy decides to crack open the other two carburetors that sit on top of a '67 Corvette intake.

As we said earlier, '55-'57 shoeboxes have always been wildly popular with regard to fullsize Chevys. When people get an eyeful of Randy's stellar '62 bubbletop, though, things will get stirred up a bit in the world of fullsize Chevy street machines. If an example such as this doesn't do it, then we don't know what will. CC

Starting out as a 502-inch big-block, a 0.030-inch overbore nets 509 cubes. The engine's factory crank and rods swing JE 10:1 pistons. A Comp Cams solid-lifter cam moves 2.19/1.88 valves in a pair of ported Dart heads. The oval-port aluminum heads are home to a '67 Corvette intake off a 400hp 427. The triple-carb Holley setup includes two 500-cfm two-barrels on each end and a 335-cfm two-barrel in the center. In the normal cruise mode, only the center carb functions. But when you mash the gas, all three open up and move 1,335 cfm of air--more airflow than Holley's biggest 1,150 Dominator! The ignition is all MSD and uses Moroso plug wires.

The front accessory drive is one of the neatest things on the 509 big-block. Included is a Flow Kooler water pump, custom pulleys, and all-braided lines for the power-steering pump and radiator. A pair of 12-inch electric fans suck cool air through the radiator. Note the fuel-pressure gauge and the three fittings next to it that lead to the three Holley carbs--one for each two-barrel. Also note the power-steering-pump reservoir in the foreground that's painted black to match the alternator, the valvecovers, the black anodized fittings, and the air cleaner. Trick!

The classic lines of a bubbletop, fullsize Chevy are illustrated by Randy Wilcox's flawless '62 Bel Air. Historical experts tell us that the true bubbletop cars are the '59-'61 Impalas and the '62 Bel Air. That qualifies Randy's rig as the last of the breed. Little would you know that this near-stock-looking car has a 600hp fat-block underhood--but finding out is easy. When Randy tickles the gas pedal, you see nothing but four little taillights waving goodbye.

It's all super-trick high-tech under the hood, but inside the car it's super simple and full retro all the way--from the stock bench seat to the column shifter that's part of a steering column from a '72 Chevy van. Part of what makes this car so awesome is the incorporation of so many contrasts. Some examples are the super-trick engine bay that's in contrast to the basic interior and the car's resto look that's in contrast to its modern-tech, automatic-overdrive trans. Moon gauges, a LeCarra wheel, Simpson seatbelts, and an Alpine stereo provide further contrast of old and new.

A resident of North Oaks, Minnesota, Randy brought his Bel Air bubbletop to the CC Summer Cruise last year in St. Paul. The car was awarded Second Place in the Best Street Machine (nontubbed) category.